19 Sep 2010: SEQ: Improved fare structure for go card, where are you?

[ozbob]

Media Release 19 September 2010

SEQ:  Improved fare structure for go card, where are you?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for the implementation of a daily Seniors Excursion Fare for users of the red go card and daily capping and periodical options for all users.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The fare price increases in the cost of public transport fares impacted severely on Seniors.  Promised a Seniors Go card combination they were caught short with the 40% price increase in paper tickets.  Feedback we have received has indicated many Seniors have had to restrict their outings on public transport as a result."

"All mainland states have free public transport or special fares for Pensioners above the standard concession fares (1).  NSW has the Pensioner Excursion Ticket which allows Pensioners unlimited daily public transport for $2.50 (2). Seniors in Queensland have access to a red go card, this card could be easily capped to a daily maximum fare of $2.50 or so. In so doing Pensioners would be able to get out and about again, carry out their shopping, visit the doctor, carry out volunteer work without worrying about the high cost of fares.  Pensioners tend to travel in off peak times so there is plenty of capacity, and such a fare would be encouraging to folks to go out. The well being and health of the community is improved overall. Fare box revenue is actually increased."

"With 15% increases in fares planned for January 2011 (3) it is time to introduce a special capped Seniors fare, and daily capping and optional periodical fares for the go card for all other users. Maximising uptake of public transport is a major economic and social benefit to our community."


References:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3278.0

2.   http://www.sydneybuses.info/tickets/pensioner-excursion.htm/

3.   http://www.translink.com.au/fares2011_14.php


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

CityCat patronage falling --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4446.0

[PhilipM]

It should not be terribly hard with a computerised system like this to implement daily caps, e.g., if you do more than 2 trips in the same zones, stop charging, as if you'd bought a daily ticket. Since the system is not fully online (your Go Card only contains a memory chip and RF ID, not a full computer, and some terminals don't offload data immediately to the database), this may have to be done retrospectively with a refund. Slightly smarter terminals could also do it, if the rules are kept simple.

Until I see some plan for this, this is my biggest worry about terminating paper tickets.

Has anyone seen any mention of Go Card being extended to implement the same effect as daily, or for that matter, weekly or monthly tickets?

Media Release 19 September 2010

SEQ:  Improved fare structure for go card, where are you?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for the implementation of a daily Seniors Excursion Fare for users of the red go card and daily capping and periodical options for all users.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The fare price increases in the cost of public transport fares impacted severely on Seniors.  Promised a Seniors Go card combination they were caught short with the 40% price increase in paper tickets.  Feedback we have received has indicated many Seniors have had to restrict their outings on public transport as a result."

"All mainland states have free public transport or special fares for Pensioners above the standard concession fares (1).  NSW has the Pensioner Excursion Ticket which allows Pensioners unlimited daily public transport for $2.50 (2). Seniors in Queensland have access to a red go card, this card could be easily capped to a daily maximum fare of $2.50 or so. In so doing Pensioners would be able to get out and about again, carry out their shopping, visit the doctor, carry out volunteer work without worrying about the high cost of fares.  Pensioners tend to travel in off peak times so there is plenty of capacity, and such a fare would be encouraging to folks to go out. The well being and health of the community is improved overall. Fare box revenue is actually increased."

"With 15% increases in fares planned for January 2011 (3) it is time to introduce a special capped Seniors fare, and daily capping and optional periodical fares for the go card for all other users. Maximising uptake of public transport is a major economic and social benefit to our community."


References:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3278.0

2.   http://www.sydneybuses.info/tickets/pensioner-excursion.htm/

3.   http://www.translink.com.au/fares2011_14.php


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org